Arnold Askew, LMT, GCFP - Somatic Solutions

02/10/2026

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between Massage Therapy and Somatic Therapy? One simple distinction is massage is largely passive for the client, where somatic therapy engages the client to be actively involved in their growth, healing and overall well-being. In somatic therapy the therapist is a guide and sounding board to help the client progress toward an improved level of health, based on their goals. In a way it is like being a coach. Touch is still a primary method of informing the client, however, it is coupled with other techniques such as guided and awareness-based movement.
What does Somatic Therapy mean? Let’s start with a definition. The term “Somatic” was coined by Thomas Hanna to mean, “the body, as perceived from within.” In other words, we individually are the only ones who can truly know ourselves from the inside. So, with this understanding, Somatic Therapy is an approach to help the client improve their sense of self, how they’re organized, and an awareness of how to let go of unwanted habits of tension and stress.
What does Somatic Therapy look like? Unlike massage it is usually done with the client fully clothed. Like massage it begins with an interview, which in this case is quite in-depth, primarily exploring the client’s goals. This includes considering what’s preventing them from achieving their goals, either in the moment or from past traumas, injuries, and toxic patterns of habituation. Assessment skills are another major part of the session. It’s not enough to assume that what’s been reported (even medical reports) is accurate. Feeling the quality of their soma (body), tissue and mobility informs us how to proceed. The transition between “assessment” and “therapy” is subtle. The client may not even notice because the quality of touch is always asking open ended questions such as: “are you assisting or resisting, can you soften your chest or neck, how is your breath involved in how you hold yourself?” The approach is gentle, always creating a sense of safety, which is essential for letting go of old familiar patterns and opening to the changes necessary for transformation.
Somatic Therapy is generally easy on the therapist physically. It is expansive mentally and creatively stimulating. It is embodied, meaning the therapist improves their own sense of self by engaging in the process. And it is rewarding. In my mind there is nothing more rewarding than watching a client improve to the point where they don’t need my services to continue in a comfortable and functional life. Though not to worry, these clients become the best form of advertising you can have. So, by losing one client you often gain many others.
I have created an NCBTMB Approved introduction to Somatic Therapy through a practical class called “Understanding & Transforming Chronic Pain.” It covers how to discern between neuroplastic and structural symptoms, and which therapies work best for each. It also explores some core developmental movements and how to incorporate them into the techniques of somatic education. It will give you a working foundation to broaden your skills to include Somatic Therapy. I hope you’ll join us in this exciting journey of personal and professional expansion. If you have questions feel free to reach out to me.

Arnold Askew, LMT, GCFP teaches continuing education courses to help massage therapists and bodywork practitioners.

02/09/2026

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between Massage Therapy and Somatic Therapy? One simple distinction is massage is largely passive for the client, where somatic therapy engages the client to be actively involved in their growth, healing and overall well-being. In somatic therapy the therapist is a guide and sounding board to help the client progress toward an improved level of health, based on their goals. In a way it is like being a coach. Touch is still a primary method of informing the client, however, it is coupled with other techniques such as guided and awareness-based movement.
What does Somatic Therapy mean? Let’s start with a definition. The term “Somatic” was coined by Thomas Hanna to mean, “the body, as perceived from within.” In other words, we individually are the only ones who can truly know ourselves from the inside. So, with this understanding, Somatic Therapy is an approach to help the client improve their sense of self, how they’re organized, and an awareness of how to let go of unwanted habits of tension and stress.
What does Somatic Therapy look like? Unlike massage it is usually done with the client fully clothed. Like massage it begins with an interview, which in this case is quite in-depth, primarily exploring the client’s goals. This includes considering what’s preventing them from achieving their goals, either in the moment or from past traumas, injuries, and toxic patterns of habituation. Assessment skills are another major part of the session. It’s not enough to assume that what’s been reported (even medical reports) is accurate. Feeling the quality of their soma (body), tissue and mobility informs us how to proceed. The transition between “assessment” and “therapy” is subtle. The client may not even notice because the quality of touch is always asking open ended questions such as: “are you assisting or resisting, can you soften your chest or neck, how is your breath involved in how you hold yourself?” The approach is gentile, always creating a sense of safety, which is essential for letting go of old familiar patterns and opening to the changes necessary for transformation.
Somatic Therapy is generally easy on the therapist physically. It is expansive mentally and creatively stimulating. It is embodied, meaning the therapist improves their own sense of self by engaging in the process. And it is rewarding. In my mind there is nothing more rewarding than watching a client improve to the point where they don’t need my services to continue in a comfortable and functional life. Though not to worry, these clients become the best form of advertising you can have. So, by losing one client you often gain many others.
I have created an NCBTMB Approved introduction to Somatic Therapy through a practical class called “Understanding & Transforming Chronic Pain.” It covers how to discern between neuroplastic and structural symptoms, and which therapies work best for each. It also explores some core developmental movements and how to incorporate them into the techniques of somatic education. It will give you a working foundation to broaden your skills to include Somatic Therapy. I hope you’ll join us in this exciting journey of personal and professional expansion. If you have questions feel free to reach out to me.

Arnold Askew, LMT, GCFP teaches continuing education courses to help massage therapists and bodywork practitioners.

11/01/2024

Understanding & Transforming Chronic Pain
Retraining Neural-Circuits & Neuromuscular Habits

14 CE Hours + NCBTMB Approved # 1000676

December 7-8, 2024 - Roswell, Georgia

This class will include the overview of causes and treatment of chronic pain that I recently presented at the 2024 AMTA National Convention. With this foundation we will build a practical model for assessing and treating the complexities of chronic pain. First, we’ll look at how to rewire the neuro-circuitry that is at the root of most chronic pain. Then we’ll learn manual techniques of somatic education to change inefficient patterns of dysfunction.
As technical as all of this may sound, I assure you that the approach is easy on the therapist, gentle on the client and the results will put you into a category above and beyond others in the field of treating chronic pain. Read below what past students have to say about the class and how to register.

“I really enjoyed Arnold’s method of teaching, great sense of humor, very intuitive, would take his class anytime” D. Anson
“The course was so helpful to push me into a deeper understanding of how I, as a practitioner, can facilitate healing, awareness, and better movement in my clients. Being able to experience and feel the profound changes with subtle work will add much more dimension to my work as a Rolfer.” P. Reaves
“Really excited about this information, wish general public could be educated about this.” V. Cook
“Thank you for your wonderful presentation. I appreciated your willingness to “tell it like it is”, even if it may not fit so clearly into the traditional confines of our field. I feel like you have a well thought out, clearly articulated and focused workshop. And I have both something I can take with me and apply now and a path for continuing my inquiry.” T. Wilson
“Before I met Arnold I was in constant pain. He showed me how to understand the patterns I had gotten into. I am very grateful to him, first because the pain never came back, and second because he taught me how to care for myself.” N Feige, Teacher, Mother

Description Would you like your practice to be more ‘medical’ based? Would you like your practice to help transform people’s lives? Would you like your practice to be easier on your body and more mentally stimulating? Develop these results when you take Understanding and Transforming Chronic P...

03/16/2022

Welcome to Somatic Solutions. This site is about understanding and helping others transform chronic pain.
I was fortunate to join the Doleys Pain Clinic early in my career. My time there (17 years) shaped the style of work I do. One thing in particular influenced me, which was a directive/request by the director. It was to come up with a modality that was non-dependent. In other words, to help the patients learn how to relieve their own pain. A very unusual request for a massage therapist. But, it was exactly what I was looking for myself, to relieve my own pain. So started a journey, much of which happened at the clinic. We had weekly staff meetings where I heard the insights about each patient from the rest of the staff - MD's, psychologists, nurses, PT's, socical work, occupational counselor, addiction specialist, etc. Everyday was a learning field.
Now, thirty years later, I'd like to share and explain what I've learned. And I'd like to hear your insights, opinions and questions as well. I'll post on particular subjects, problems, etc. that I think will be of value. Let me know if there's anything specific that you would like us to discuss. I look forward to the sharing and learning.